Analogue – This is simply the term used to describe a watch with hands on the face. A few of our watches will have a digital and analogue display, to allow a host of functions to be displayed simultaneously.

Automatic – An automatic watch features a movement which is powered by a rotor arm inside the watch. Wearing the watch will cause the arm to rotate, powering the mechanism to move the hands. Please see our Watch Movement Types for more information. It is important to bear in mind that an automatic timepiece should receive regular servicing to the movement, and that an automatic watch will never be as accurate as a quartz powered movement.

Bangle – A watch described as a bangle will have a solid bracelet. These are designed to be worn loose, as a bangle. These are only available as a ladies watch.

Bezel – The bezel can be found around the outside of the watch dial. The bezel is mainly there to protect the edge of the glass from chipping, and takes most of the knocks a watch will sustain in its lifetime. Some will serve additional purposes. For example diver’s watches will have a rotating bezel, which allows the wearer to set to show the amount of oxygen left in the air tank. Citizen AT’s and Pro-master’s have a slide rule bezel, which can convert various imperial and metric equations.

Bracelet – If a watch features a metal strap, it is referred to as a bracelet. The material will be stated clearly in the specification list.

Digital – A digital watch, popular in the Casio range, will feature LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or LED (Light Emitting Diode) displays. These watches do not feature the conventional analogue hands, and generally allow for more functions, such as electronic memory, to store telephone numbers etc. Some watches will have a digital and analogue display, such as the Casio Wave-ceptors.

Eco-drive – Eco-Drive is a patented Citizen solar powered movement. This means no battery changes are required. Some of the Casio’s now feature a solar powered movement in addition to the Citizen range.

Gold Plating – Gold plating is the term used to describe a bracelet or case which has been coated in a gold colouring. Some new watches feature a Rose Gold plating, which is a stunning red colouring. There are different types of plating; the most basic form is to cover a base metal (often steel) in layers (microns) of 9ct gold. More expensive watches may feature PVD Plating (see below).

Hardex – This is a type of glass used on most Seiko watches. This is a tough, scratch resistant, crystal which is tougher than glass.

Kinetic – A kinetically powered watch is similar to an automatic, in that the wearer powers the watch directly by putting it on. A kinetic watch works differently by powering an energy source similar to a battery. This means the watch can be as accurate as a quartz movement (see below), without the need to change a battery. It is important to bear in mind that kinetic watches will still require servicing regularly to maintain performance.

Mineral – A mineral glass is similar to hardex glass, in that it is more scratch resistant than glass. Mineral glass, however, is not as tough as Hardex or sapphire crystal.

Perpetual Calendar – A perpetual calendar can be found on some analogue watches. This means the date display will automatically be pre-programmed to recognise when a new month starts. In February, for example, the date will change on the 28th, straight to the 1st of March. They will also recognise a leap year, and adjust the date accordingly. All digital watches will naturally have a perpetual calendar, but this is an advanced piece of technology for an analogue watch.

PVD Plating – PVD Plating is a high grade of plating for bracelet watches. Different to regular plating, PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) works by completely penetrating the base metal with the gold, to prevent wear over time. The traditional method s of plating meant that the gold layer could be scratched off, whereas PVD Plating will maintain the gold colour all the way through the watch.New methods of PVD Plating have allowed other colours, such as black, to be successfully distributed on Stainless Steel and Titanium bracelets.

Sapphire Crystal – This is the toughest type of glass to be found protecting a watch dial. This is both scratch and acid resistant to a very high degree.

Strap – If a watch does not feature a metal bracelet the term used will be a strap. This can be leather or material, and in some cases rubber. All our watches with a strap will be of high quality, and designed to last.

Water Resistant – The term water resistance is often a grey area where watches are concerned. It is commonly described in terms of how many metres underwater you can wear your watch without letting in water. However this actually describes the amount of pressure your watch can withstand. A water resistant watch to 30 meters can withstand 30 meters of pressure, but it should not be swum in. Basically moving your watch when underwater increases the amount of pressure to a greater degree than 30 metres.

The chart below outlines the correct exposure of water your watch can safely withstand.

In addition to this many new watches will have a screw down crown, which helps seal the movement from water.  You must make sure the crown is screwed firmly shut to keep out the water, and protect the movement.

Quartz - A Quartz movement watch is a basic battery operated movement. A Quartz crystal is powered by an electric current from the battery, which powers the hands or digital dial.